West Yorkshire League: Ripon City search for goalkeeper in survival mission

Ed White

Relegation-threatened Ripon City are hunting for a goalkeeper again after number one Matt Shaw was ruled out for the season.

Shaw has suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury and has been told to avoid playing football for nine months.

He first sustained the injury before Christmas but was cleared to make a return for the West Yorkshire League Division One side against Leeds Modernians last week.

However, he aggravated the damage in the 5-3 defeat and had to sit out Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Aberford Albion.

Assistant boss Dan Metcalfe filled the void but he admitted the club were desperate to find a long-term solution between the sticks.

Metcalfe said: “It’s a big loss to lose Matt but he has been told he is out for the season. He’s done quite a bit of damage to his knee.

“We are actively trying to find a keeper but there’s only a few about. It’s very hard. They are a rare breed.”

Metcalfe was City boss Micky Baldwin’s shot-stopper for the reserve team last season and has made six appearances since the duo took over the first team this season.

But he could do nothing to prevent City falling deeper into the relegation mire after twice conceding a lead at Aberford at the weekend.

Danny Edmunds tapped home from close range to City ahead in the first half but the hosts equalised with a similar effort close to half time.

The momentum looked to have been with Ripon when substitute Jamie Stewart fired them back in front.

But Albion netted twice in the final 20 minutes to turn the tables and deny City a much-needed point.

Metcalfe said: “It would have been nice to get a point but it was just one of those days that we are having at the minute where our chances just don’t seem to be getting put away. When you’re in this position, you just don’t get the rub of the green.”